Daily Archives: March 7, 2012

This week The Defender and The Guru of our beloved EU (Mark & Nathan) tackle Star Wars in 3D and the viability of 3D in general. Is it a gimmick? Is it the next phase of the evolution of film as we know it?

They discuss the Nintendo 3DS, 3D movies, Glasses free 3D, Real D vs Dolby, 3D vs HD vs Blu-Ray; is theater a dying breed in terms of visual picture quality and overall social experience? Effects on 3D: are they so special? Do they give you a headache?

Was the 3D utilized to it’s fullest? Or should George and co. have added to the fight scenes to maxamize on 3D gimmickry? Or is it too soon after the latest round of additions in the Blu-Ray?

Should Star Wars games like PS3 Move and Star Wars Kinect utilize the 3D technologies? Where’s the Rogue Squadron: New Jedi Order game?! Or Battlefront 3? Should Lucasfilm’s energy perhaps be devoted somewhere else?

Opinions run rampant as the discussion twists and turns more times then Boba Fett’s backstory, with 3D and so much more!

From a padawn braid to a Jedi’s goatee, Karl and Jason discuss the character development of Obi-Wan Kenobi between Episode I and the Clone Wars in this first part of a two part character analysis. From the wary, obedient padawan to the wry humor of a Jedi Knight forced to deal with an over-emotional padawan, Obi-Wan’s development as a character are discussed in this episode. And don’t forget to listen in on their latest lightsaber match-up breakdown between Darth Maul and Ahsoka Tano!

About three years ago the Fate of the Jedi series started with the novel Outcast. If you stuck with the series you know that Luke was exiled from Coruscant, Daala was in charge of the Galactic Alliance, Ben has a Sith girlfriend, Abeloth is a threat to the galaxy, and Jag and Jaina are back together. We have been all over the galaxy including visits to planets from novels like The Courtship of Princess Leia and The Planet of Twilight. The series has been a bit of a rollercoaster with some books outshining others and none of them shining too brightly.

On Tuesday, March 13th, the final book in the nine book series will be released. With a title like Apocalypse, the series promised to end with a bang. Here is the official novel description:

There can be no surrender.There will be no mercy.It’s not just the future of the galaxy at stake –It’s the destiny of the Force.

In the stunning finale of the epic Fate of the Jedi series, Jedi and Sith face off—with Coruscant as their battlefield. For the Sith, it’s the chance to restore their dominance over the galaxy that forgot them for so long. For Abeloth, it’s a giant step in her quest to conquer all life everywhere. For Luke Skywalker, it’s a call to arms to eradicate the Sith and their monstrous new master once and for all.

In a planetwide strike, teams of Jedi Knights take the Sith infiltrators by swift and lethal surprise. But victory against the cunning and savage Abeloth, and the terrifying endgame she has planned, is anything but certain. And as Luke, Ben, Han, Leia, Jaina, Jag, and their allies close in, the devastating truth about the dark side incarnate will be exposed—and send shock waves through the Jedi Order, the galaxy, and the Force itself.

The novel is written by Troy Denning who lately has had a lot of influence on the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Since 2005 he has written 9 of the 21 novels in the main, ongoing story. In the nine book Legacy of the Force series he was also given the final novel. One of the criticisms of certain Star Wars authors has been the overuse of pet characters or groups, like Zahn with Mara Jade and the Chiss. For Denning it has always been the Killiks, Barabels, and Squibs and all play a part in this book. I was happy to see that the Squibs were reduced to essentially a cameo appearance. The Killiks and Barabels both play major roles but in my opinion both made sense for their part in the story. The Killiks were used to reveal information that could be considered game changing for the Star Wars Universe and I just ate up that portion of the book.

Anytime a big series like this wraps up you have to wonder if something big is going to happen, like the death of a major character. We all know the “big three” are safe (Luke, Han, Leia) but there are many other characters now that I care about, Ben, Jaina, Tahiri, Corran Horn, just to name a few. This book does keep you on the edge of your seat and many characters are in peril throughout. Where some of the other books in the series seemed to plod along, this one was almost all action all the time. There is one scene of personal sacrifice that may even rival the epic death of Ganner Rhysode in the book Traitor.

One thing that has confused me about this series is the politics of The Galactic Alliance and the Empire. There is very little logic to how leaders are chosen or come to power. This book continues that trend with a borderline ridiculous debate/election that was thought up on a whim and the citizens just went with it. I as a reader did not just go with it and the politics dragged me out of the book. It was almost as if they knew this book would be released on an election year and were trying to parallel real world events. I prefer Star Wars to be a little less real world and more like Star Wars.

A couple of small complaints aside, I really enjoyed this book. There was something for everyone. If you are a fan of Saba, Corran, Tahiri, or Zekk they all had their moments. Jaina and Ben both kick some butt and do the Skywalker/Solo clan proud. Even Boba Fett fans will have something to cheer about. There was an unexpected (although I should have seen it coming) tie in to The Clone Wars TV show that should excite some fans and also spark much debate. Hints of things from the Legacy comic series like the One Sith will make comic fans happy. And speaking of the One Sith, there is an appearance of a character who might be someone, and if it’s who I think it is… well you’ll just have to read it.

Apocalypse was a satisfying ending to the Fate of the Jedi series. It for the most part resolves the story of the Lost Tribe and Abeloth, but leaves just enough unanswered that you know there is more coming. Some of the threads that were left open have me very excited for the future of the galaxy.

Random Thoughts:
The Jedi almost seemed to take too much joy in killing their Sith rivals. Not very Jedi like.
Ben and Vestara have some cringe worthy flirtation. Oh, teenage love.
Does bacta have the ability to regrow fingers?
Some moments with the Jedi leading the space marines made me think of the Clone Wars.
Allana is really good with a blaster for a 7 year old.